They both wore the Turkey shirt on Wednesday evening and celebrated together at the final whistle after a clear-cut 3-0 Euro 2008 qualifying victory over Hungary, but the following morning, and two days ahead of the Bundesliga’s biggest match of the weekend between Bayern and Schalke 04, Hamit and Halil Altintop went their separate ways and prepared to go head-to-head.

“I’m glad there’s so little time between the international and the Schalke match,” Hamit reflected after returning to Munich on Thursday. “There’s basically no time to brood on it,” continued the 24-year-old utility man, contemplating a double reunion at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, as he comes face-to-face both with his twin and his former club. “It’s obviously a special game for me.”

Emotional occasion

There is more to it than simply pride between himself and his 12-minute younger brother. Hamit appeared in the League Cup final against Schalke back in July, but the weekend meeting is a much weightier affair. “It’s a competitive fixture, and we urgently need the points. It’ll be a much more emotional occasion,” Altintop argued.

Hamit cannot afford to make allowances for Halil on Saturday. “I used to keep an eye out for my brother when we played each other in the past,” he revealed, recalling the younger Altintop’s spell in Kaiserslautern. “But nowadays it doesn’t matter to me what does for 90 minutes - I just don’t want him to score.”

No wagers

The Turkey international pair used to place a private bet or two before previous family clashes, but not on this occasion. “Halil didn’t want to bet on the outcome. I can understand that. They’re away from home against Bayern,” Hamit grinned. “I tried to tempt him into a bet, but Halil put a stop to it right from the start.“

Until around a quarter past five on Saturday, family allegiances will be put to one side. “I really hope Schalke do well in the Champions League. But I want to win with the club I play for,” Hamit explained: “We want to play good football, and then afterwards we’ll embrace, no matter how it turns out.“

Hamit injured his foot last night and will be out for 7-8 weeks. That sucks, he's probably been our most consistent midfielder this season besides Franck and maybe Ze. Right at the business end of the season too...oh well. I guess that's why we have Schweini, Sosa, and Kroos. For his sake I hope he gets better in time for the Euro.

Despite suffering a broken metatarsal while on international duty for Turkey last week, Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop is still determined to be fit for the European Championship finals this summer.

The midfielder has been a key part of the Bayern midfield this season as they stride towards their 21st league title, being an ever-present apart from three games.

The injury comes as a blow to both Bayern and Turkey, but the resilient player is determined to make a swift recovery and be ready for the Euro 2008 finals in the summer and possibly even make a comeback for Bayern before the end of the season.

“The decisive weeks lie ahead. Every game is like a final, and I’d have really liked to help the team. I’ll make sure I’m at the stadium for all the remaining home games, I’ll cheer the team on and offer my support as best I can” Altintop explained.

“The operation went very well. Now we’ll have to wait and see how the bone heals. It’s hard to say whether I’ll play again this season” he added.

“But I’m determined to play at the Euro. Obviously, it would also be fantastic if I was able to feature in the match when we take delivery of the championship shield.”

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